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“Nah, this game,” I said, spreading my hands. “This game I’m playing has its foundation on a woman. My grandfather wouldn’t have been able to do shit without my grandmother. They were a force to be reckoned with. So, one day my daughters will be in my place if they choose,” I replied.
“Hmmm,” he groaned. He ain’t like that. He was one of those niggas that believed women should stay in their place.
“What happened to your eye?” Keenan glanced up as if I had accused him of something. He was ready to defend himself. A scowl bloomed over his face like I was about to punch him.
“Got in a fight at school,” Roman said before he could answer.
“Damn, I hope they look worse,” I played along, looking at Keenan.
He nodded his head. “They do,” the lie stumbled off his tongue.
“They better,” Roman chimed in.
They were playing games, lying to me. But Keenan’s innocence didn’t allow for fox-like abilities. Too green to have a poker face, I saw right through him.
Maybe Melody wasn’t lying to me.
“What school do you go to?”
Keenan diverted his attention to his father to answer.
“He just started… boy I ain’t gotta answer for you. Man up and speak!”
“I go to Kingsbrook Prep,” he replied.
I nodded. That’s Storie’s school. I wonder if she knows him? Could she confirm this fight that I’m pretty sure didn’t happen.
“My daughter goes there. Storie Banks. You know her?”
“No, I just started this week and haven’t really met many people.”
The server returned to take our orders. I ordered Banks Reserve neat, while Roman and his son ordered food and drinks. Once we finished discussing business, I was heading out so that they could continue their dinner.
I needed to get back home to be with the girls because right now my siblings and their wives were helping with looking out for them. I’d be hiring someone new soon, but it won’t be her.
12
Storie
Before the stupid driver could even finish telling me good evening, I slammed the door muting his annoying voice.
Today was one of the most irritating days I’ve ever had. Why are all these bitches trying me? Why do they all want Justice so bad?!
That bitch Ms. Lisbon needed to worry about the term papers stacked on her messy desk. She had been promising to return our assignments all week after pressuring us to turn them in on time. Instead of doing her job she had enough free time to plan a trip to my father’s casino.
At lunchtime I overheard her say, “Justice Banks is so fine… and paid!” She was talking to another teacher as they were making their way to the teachers’ lounge. I was hovering around because what else was there to do.
“Me and my homegirl went to the Banks Grand the other night.”
“He don’t have a woman?” she asked.
“Nope. Single dad. Storie has the best-looking father in this school,” she sang.
“Damn I need to go there.”
“We should go this weekend. He’s not there every weekend but he’s there enough.”
She shouldn’t be going anywhere but home to grade my damn paper. Keeping women away from Justice was going to be tough over the next few years. But if I keep acting up, he’ll have to focus all his attention on me, leaving him no room for other women.
